Merchandise registration processing system

ABSTRACT

When obtaining an ID code from a user who holds out an arm to a corresponding merchandise in a noncontact manner, respective information terminal devices accept a registration input of the corresponding merchandise. When accepting the registration input of the corresponding merchandise, registration merchandise information including obtained user identification information and merchandise identification information for identifying the merchandise corresponding to the information terminal device is transmitted to a server device. The server device stores and manages merchandise sales information for the respective ID codes from the registration merchandise information received from the respective information terminal devices. When the ID code is input from a settlement device, the merchandise sales information corresponding to the ID code is transmitted to the settlement device. The settlement device performs the settlement processing based on the merchandise sales information received from the server device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No.PCT/JP2006/320396, filed Oct. 12, 2006, which was published under PCTArticle 21(2) in Japanese.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromprior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-314369, filed Oct. 28, 2005,the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a merchandise registration processingsystem which is utilized at a shop such as a supermarket, a conveniencestore, etc.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a shop such as a supermarket, a convenience store, etc., themerchandise display space and the settlement place for merchandises aresectionalized. At such a shop, a shopper selects merchandises which theshopper will purchase from among merchandises displayed on themerchandise display space, and puts the merchandises in a shoppingbasket, then takes the shopping basket to the settlement place. At thesettlement place, a settlement device referred to as a POS (Point OfSales) terminal is arranged. Accordingly, when a shop assistant incharge of the settlement, referred to as a cashier etc., receives anoffer of the settlement from the shopper, the shop assistant registersthe merchandises which the shopper purchases in the settlement deviceone by one. The registration is generally performed by making a scannerscan the barcode (merchandise code) put on the merchandises. Then, afterregistering barcodes of all the merchandises which the shopperpurchases, the charge for all the merchandises to be purchased isdisplayed on a display unit of the settlement device. Then, the shopassistant receives the payment of the charge from the shopper, and givesa receipt to the shopper.

In this way, conventionally, in order to register merchandises which theshopper purchases in the settlement device, the shop assistant picks upthe merchandises from the shopping basket one by one, and makes thescanner scan the barcode put on the merchandise, which requires time forthe registration.

Accordingly, in order to solve the problem, recently, there has beensuggested a merchandise registration processing system utilizing awireless tag. This system is basically configured by wireless tags whichare applied to respective merchandises one by one, a wireless tag readerthat reads out information stored in the wireless tags by noncontactcommunication, and a settlement device such as a POS terminal thatperforms the settlement processing using information read out by thewireless tag reader. The wireless tag is also referred to as an RFID(Radio Frequency Identification) tag, IC (Integrated Circuit) tag, etc.

This system is provided with a feature that, by using a function of theanticollision, even if a plurality of wireless tags exist in thecommunication area of an antenna of a wireless tag reader, data can beread in collectively.

Accordingly, for example, as is disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln.Publication No. 10-049756, in wireless tags applied to respectivemerchandises, merchandise codes of the merchandises are stored.Furthermore, a wireless tag reader is arranged on the shopping basketplacement part of the settlement place. A shopping basket containingmerchandises which a shopper purchases is placed on the shopping basketplacement part. Then, information of wireless tags applied to therespective merchandises in the shopping basket is collectively read outby the wireless tag reader. Then, information of the respective wirelesstags, that is, merchandise codes are registered in a settlement device.Accordingly, there is caused an effect that the time required for theregistration work can be considerably reduced.

Furthermore, in the merchandise registration processing system usingwireless tags, since the registration of merchandises in the settlementdevice is automatically performed, for example, as is disclosed in Jpn.Pat. Appln. Publication No. 2003-272057, there has also been suggested amerchandise registration processing system of the self check-out systemin which all the settlement works, including the giving and receiving ofthe charge, are performed by a shopper him/herself.

However, in the conventional merchandise registration processing systemusing wireless tags, there is a troublesome work of applying wirelesstags to all the merchandises to be sold at a shop one by one.Furthermore, there is also a troublesome work of, to respective wirelesstags, writing merchandise codes of merchandises to which the wirelesstags are applied.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-identified circumstances, an object of the presentinvention is to provide a merchandise registration processing systemthat does not apply wireless tags to merchandises one by one, and canremarkably reduce the time required for the merchandise registration atthe settlement place.

According to the present invention, there is provided a merchandiseregistration processing system which includes a plurality of informationterminal devices which are so arranged as to correspond to variousdisplayed merchandises respectively, a server device which has aterminal display control means, and a settlement device that performssettlement processing of commercial transaction, which are connected bya communication network.

Each of the information terminal devices has a display unit thatdisplays information related to the merchandise corresponding to thedevice, and a communication unit that receives information to bedisplayed on the display unit. The terminal display control means editsinformation to be displayed on the display units of the respectiveinformation terminal devices for the respective information terminaldevices, and transmits thus edited information to the correspondinginformation terminal devices.

Each of the information terminal devices further includes a userrecognition means, an input receiving means, and a registrationmerchandise information transmission means. The user recognition meansobtains, from a user who extends an arm to merchandise corresponding tothe information terminal device, user identification information foridentifying the user in a noncontact manner. Under a condition that theuser identification information is obtained by the user recognitionmeans, the input receiving means accepts a registration input ofmerchandise corresponding to the information terminal device. When thereis a registration input of a merchandise received by the input receivingmeans, the registration merchandise information transmission meanstransmits registration merchandise information including merchandiseidentification information for identifying the merchandise and the useridentification information obtained by the user identificationrecognition means from the communication unit to the server devicethrough the communication network.

The server device further includes information reception means, atransaction information storage unit, registration merchandiseinformation processing means, and commercial transaction informationtransfer means. The information reception means receives informationtransmitted from the respective information terminal devices through thecommunication network. The transaction information storage unit has atransaction information storage area for the respective useridentification information. Every time the registration merchandiseinformation is received by the information reception means, theregistration merchandise information processing means adds themerchandise identification information included in the registrationmerchandise information to the transaction information storage area forthe respective user identification information included in theregistration merchandise information of the transaction informationstorage unit. The commercial transaction information transfer meanstransfers the merchandise identification information stored for therespective user identification information in the transactioninformation storage unit to the settlement device.

The settlement device includes an input means for the useridentification information, and a settlement processing means. Thesettlement processing means performs the settlement processing of thecommercial transaction with the user identified by the useridentification information input through the input means based on themerchandise identification information transferred from the serverdevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram indicative of the entire configuration of amerchandise registration processing system;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view indicative of the data structure of ashelf label information record stored in a shelf label information file;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view indicative of the data structure of atransaction information record stored in a transaction information file;

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram indicative of the main part configurationof an ID issuance terminal;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view indicative of the structure of data storedin a biometric information storage unit of the ID issuance terminal;

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart indicative of the main control procedure to beexecuted by a control unit of the ID issuance terminal;

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram indicative of the main part configurationof an ID recovery terminal;

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart indicative of the main control procedure to beexecuted by a control unit of the ID recovery terminal;

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart indicative of the main part of ID issuancemessage reception processing to be executed by a shelf label managementserver;

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart indicative of the main part of ID recoverymessage reception processing to be executed by the shelf labelmanagement server;

FIG. 11 shows a plan view of an electronic shelf label device;

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram indicative of the main part configurationof the electronic shelf label device;

FIG. 13 shows a schematic view indicative of an example of use of theelectronic shelf label device;

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart indicative of the main control procedure to beexecuted by a control unit of the electronic shelf label device;

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart indicative of the main part of registrationmerchandise information reception processing to be executed by the shelflabel management server;

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart indicative of the main part of cancellationmerchandise information reception processing to be executed by the shelflabel management server;

FIG. 17 shows a plan view indicative of an example of aregistration/cancellation confirmation screen displayed on theelectronic shelf label device;

FIG. 18 shows a plan view indicative of an example of a total moneyamount display screen displayed on the electronic shelf label device;

FIG. 19 shows a block diagram indicative of the main part configurationof a POS terminal;

FIG. 20 shows a flowchart indicative of the main part procedure ofsettlement key input processing to be executed by a CPU of the POSterminal;

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart indicative of the main part of settlementinquiry reception processing to be executed by the shelf labelmanagement server; and

FIG. 22 shows a flowchart indicative of the main part of settlementcompletion reception processing to be executed by the shelf labelmanagement server.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The best mode to implement the present invention will be describedreferring to the accompanying drawings.

In this embodiment, to a shop such as a supermarket in which anelectronic shelf label management system is established, the merchandiseregistration processing system according to the present invention isapplied.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram indicative of the entire configuration of amerchandise registration processing system 1 according to the presentembodiment. The system 1 includes a server device 11. The server device11 includes a WEB server 111, a network server 112, a shelf labelmanagement server 113, a customer management server 114, a POS server115, etc.

The WEB server 111 is specialized for respective functions performed onthe Internet 2. The network server 112 is specialized for the datacommunication with an external system such as a headquarters system 3connected thereto by a dedicated network. The shelf label managementserver 113 is specialized for the information management related toshelf labels. The customer management server 114 is specialized for theinformation management related to customers. The POS server 115 isspecialized for the information management related to the merchandisesales. The respective servers 111 to 115 are connected mutually by acommunication line 116.

The shelf label management server 113, which is a computer that acts asthe nerve center of the electronic shelf label management system, isconnected to a plurality of shelf label controllers 13 through acommunication line 121.

The respective shelf label controllers 13 are so arranged as tocorrespond to a plurality of merchandise display shelves arranged in theshop respectively. To the respective shelf label controllers 13, allelectronic shelf label devices 14 arranged on the merchandise displayshelves corresponding thereto are connected through communication lines122. The electronic shelf label devices 14 are arranged for each ofarticles of various merchandises displayed on the merchandise displayshelves. The respective shelf label controllers 13 function as the datarelay units between the shelf label management server 113 and therespective electronic shelf label devices 14.

To the shelf label management server 113, a shelf label information fileF1 and a transaction information file F2 are mounted.

In the shelf label information file F1, a shelf label information recordhaving the data structure shown in FIG. 2 is stored. That is, the shelflabel information record includes data items, or a shelf label number,merchandise code, merchandise name, unit price, etc. The shelf labelnumber is a unique number preset for each of the electronic shelf labeldevices 14 to identify the respective electronic shelf label devices 14.The shelf label number may include not only number symbols but alsocharacters such as those of alphabets, and marks. Furthermore, the shelflabel number may solely be represented by characters and marks.Merchandise information such as the merchandise code, merchandise name,unit price, etc. is information related to a merchandise articlecorresponding to the electronic shelf label device 14 specified by theshelf label number of the same record.

In the transaction information file F2, a transaction information recordhaving the data structure shown in FIG. 3 is stored. That is, thetransaction information record includes an ID code, a customer code,customer individual information, merchandise sales information such as amerchandise code, unit price, quantity, and money amount, total moneyamount information, flag information of a settlement flag and a recoveryflag. The ID code is a code to identify a shopper who comes to a shop.The customer code is a unique code preset for each customer to identifyrespective customers who sign a contract of membership with a shop. Thecustomer individual information is the name, sex, age, etc. of acustomer specified by the customer code of the same record. Themerchandise sales information is a merchandise code, unit price,quantity, money amount, etc. of merchandises which a shopper specifiedby the ID code of the same record will purchase. The total money amountinformation is a total money amount of merchandises which a shopperspecified by the ID code of the same record purchases.

Of flag information, the settlement flag is a flag that identifieswhether or not the settlement of a shopper specified by the ID code ofthe same record has been completed. In this embodiment, the settlementflag is set to “0” when the settlement has not been completed, and isset to “1” when the settlement has been completed. The recovery flag isa flag that identifies whether or not the ID code is recovered from ashopper specified by the ID code of the same record. In this embodiment,the recovery flag is set to “0” when the ID code has not been recovered,and is set to “1” when the ID code has been recovered.

The transaction information file F2 configures a transaction informationstorage means provided with a transaction information storage region forrespective ID codes which function as user identification information.

The POS server 115, which is a computer that acts as the nerve center ofthe POS system, is connected to a plurality of POS terminals 15 througha communication line 123.

The respective POS terminals 15 are examples of the settlement device.That is, the respective POS terminals 15 register the sales data ofmerchandises which a customer has purchased, and performs the settlementprocessing for the charge. The settlement processing corresponds tovarious manners of payment such as cash, a credit card, a prepaid card,electronic money, and a debit card.

In the POS server 115, a merchandise master file F3 is mounted.

In the merchandise master file F3, a merchandise information recordincluding data items, or a merchandise code, merchandise name, unitprice, merchandise classification code, and shelf label number isstored. The merchandise code is a unique code which is preset for eachmerchandise to identify various merchandise articles to be sold at ashop. The merchandise name, unit price, merchandise classification codeare information of a merchandise specified by the merchandise code ofthe same record. The shelf label number is a number to specify theelectronic shelf label device 14 arranged at the display space formerchandise specified by the merchandise code of the same record.

The customer management server 114, which is a computer that acts as thenerve center of a customer management system, is connected to aplurality of ID issuance terminals 16 and ID recovery terminals 17through a communication line 124.

The ID issuance terminals 16 are examples of a user identificationissuance device. That is, the ID issuance terminal 16 writes useridentification information to an RFID tag 5 by noncontact communication.The RFID tag 5 is attached to a bracelet 4. The ID code to identify ashopper (user) carrying about the bracelet 4 becomes user identificationinformation.

The ID recovery terminals 17 are examples of a user identificationdevice. That is, the ID recovery terminal 17 reads the ID code from theRFID tag 5 attached to the bracelet 4 by noncontact communication. TheID code, which is the user identification information, is effectivewhile a shopper is shopping.

In the customer management server 114, a customer master file F4 ismounted.

In the customer master file F4, a customer information record includinga customer code, customer individual information of the name, address,telephone number of contact address, sex, age, etc., service pointaccumulated data, and commercial transaction history data is stored.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram indicative of the main part configurationof the ID issuance terminal 16. The ID issuance terminal 16 includes acommunication unit 161, a display unit 162, a biometric authenticationunit 163, an ID issuance management unit 164, a control unit 165 thatcontrols the respective units, etc. The communication unit 161 performsdata communication with the customer management server 114 connectedthereto through the communication line 124. The display unit 162displays operation guidance for a user 6 who operates the ID issuanceterminal 16.

The biometric authentication unit 163 includes a biometric informationstorage unit 166 and a biometric information readout unit 167. As shownin FIG. 5, the biometric information storage unit 166 stores,corresponding to customer codes of respective customers, biometricinformation of the customers which has been registered previously. Thebiometric information readout unit 167 takes in biometric information ofthe user 6. The biometric authentication unit 163 collates the biometricinformation read out by the biometric information readout unit 167 withbiometric information of the respective users stored in the biometricinformation storage unit 166 to perform the identity authentication.

In this embodiment, a fingerprint is used as biometric information.Other than a fingerprint, a retina, an iris, a shape of a palm, etc. canalso be used as biometric information.

To the ID issuance management unit 164, an RFID reader/writer 168 isconnected. The ID issuance management unit 164 generates a unique IDcode according to an ID issuance request from the control unit 165.Then, the ID issuance management unit 164 sends the ID code to the RFIDreader/writer 168 as write data to the RFID tag 5. The RFIDreader/writer 168 communicates with the RFID tag 5 which exists in thecommunication area of an antenna thereof by noncontact communication,and writes the ID code to a user memory unit of the RFID tag 5.

The biometric information storage unit 166 configures a biometricinformation storage means, the biometric information readout unit 167configures a biometric information take-in means, the biometricauthentication unit 163 configures an identity authentication means, andthe ID issuance management unit 164 and RFID reader/writer 168 configurea user identification issuance means.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart indicative of the main control procedure of thecontrol unit 165. In step ST1, the control unit 165 waits for thebiometric information readout unit 167 to read out biometric informationof the user 6. In step ST2, when it is detected that biometricinformation is read out from information of the biometric authenticationunit 163, the control unit 165 issues a command of collation ofbiometric information to the biometric authentication unit 163, in stepST3.

The biometric authentication unit 163, which receives the command,collates the biometric information read out by the biometric informationreadout unit 167 with biometric information stored in the biometricinformation storage unit 166. Then, the biometric authentication unit163 determines the presence or absence of identical biometricinformation, and sends the determination result to the control unit 165.On the other hand, there may be employed a configuration in which thebiometric information readout unit 167 detects that biometricinformation of the user 6 is read out, and then the biometricauthentication unit 163 performs the collation of biometric information.In this way, it becomes unnecessary for the control unit 165 to issue acommand of collation of biometric information to the biometricauthentication unit 163.

When confirming that there is identical biometric information by thebiometric authentication unit 163, in step ST5, the control unit 165obtains a stored customer code related to the biometric information fromthe biometric information storage unit 166. Next, in step ST6, thecontrol unit 165 sends a command of an ID obtention request to the IDissuance management unit 164. The ID issuance management unit 164, whichreceives the command, generates a unique ID code. Then, the ID issuancemanagement unit 164 sends the ID code to the control unit 165.

In step ST7, the control unit 165 waits for the ID issuance managementunit 164 to send the ID code. Then, when the ID code is sent, in stepST8, the control unit 165 edits an ID issuance message, and transmitsthe ID issuance message from the communication unit 161 to the customermanagement server 114. The ID issuance message includes the customercode obtained from the biometric information storage unit 166 and the IDcode obtained from the ID issuance management unit 164.

Every time the ID issuance message is received through the communicationline 124, the customer management server 114 transfers the ID issuancemessage to the shelf label management server 113. Every time the IDissuance message is received through the customer management server 114,the shelf label management server 113 executes ID issuance messagereception processing.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart indicative of the procedure of the ID issuancemessage reception processing. When receiving the ID issuance message, instep ST41, the shelf label management server 113 retrieves thetransaction information file F2 using a customer code included in the IDissuance message. Then, in step ST42, the shelf label management server113 determines whether or not a transaction information record includingthe customer code is stored in the transaction information file F2.

In the case a transaction information record including the customer codeis not stored in the transaction information file F2, in step ST43, theshelf label management server 113 sends back a normal response messageto the customer management server 114. Furthermore, in step ST44, atransaction information record is generated, and thus generatedtransaction information record is added to the transaction informationfile F2.

The transaction information record includes the ID code and customercode included in the received ID issuance message. Furthermore, thecustomer individual information stored in the customer master file F4corresponding to the customer code is also included. The total moneyamount, settlement flag, and recovery flag are set to “0”.

In the case a transaction information record including the customer codeis stored in the transaction information file F2, in step ST45, theshelf label management server 113 determines whether or not the recoveryflag of the transaction information record is information “1” whichindicates that the recovery is finished. In the case the recovery flagis “1”, the transaction information record is a transaction informationrecord obtained when the customer specified by the customer code in therecord last shopped. Then, the shelf label management server 113executes the processing in step ST43 and step ST44.

In the case the recovery flag is “0”, the transaction information recordis a transaction information record obtained when the customer specifiedby the customer code in the record is currently shopping. Then, in stepST46, the shelf label management server 113 sends back an abnormalresponse message to the customer management server 114. Accordingly, theduplicate registration of the transaction information record isprohibited.

Then, the shelf label management server 113 ends the ID issuance messagereception processing of this time.

The normal response message or abnormal response message sent back fromthe shelf label management server 113 is transferred to the ID issuanceterminal 16, which is the transmission source of the ID issuancemessage, through the customer management server 114.

In step ST9, the control unit 165 of the ID issuance terminal 16, whichtransmits the ID issuance message, waits for a response message. Then,only when receiving the normal response message from the customermanagement server 114, in step ST10, the control unit 165 sends acommand of an ID issuance command to the ID issuance management unit164. The ID issuance management unit 164, which receives the command,sends an ID code generated immediately before to the RFID reader/writer168. In this way, to the user memory unit of the RFID tag 5 attached tothe bracelet 4 which exists in the communication area of an antenna ofthe RFID reader/writer 168, the ID code is written by noncontactcommunication.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram indicative of the main part configurationof the ID recovery terminal 17. The ID recovery terminal 17 includes anRFID reader/writer 171, an annunciation unit 172 such as a buzzer and alight-emitting element, a communication unit 173, and a control unit 174that controls the respective units, etc.

When the bracelet 4 is housed in a bracelet recovery box 7, the RFIDreader/writer 171 communicates with the RFID tag 5 attached to thebracelet 4 in a noncontact manner. Then, after reading out an ID codefrom the user memory unit of the RFID tag 5, the user memory unit iscleared.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart indicative of the main control procedure of thecontrol unit 174. In step ST11, the control unit 174 waits for the RFIDreader/writer 171 to read out an ID code. When the ID code is read out,in step ST12, the control unit 174 edits an ID recovery messageincluding the ID code, and transmits the ID recovery message from thecommunication unit 173 to the customer management server 114.

Every time the ID recovery message is received through the communicationline 124, the customer management server 114 transfers the ID recoverymessage to the shelf label management server 113. Every time the IDrecovery message is received through the customer management server 114,the shelf label management server 113 executes ID recovery messagereception processing.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart indicative of the procedure of the ID recoverymessage reception processing. When receiving the ID recovery message, instep ST51, the shelf label management server 113 retrieves thetransaction information file F2 using an ID code included in the IDrecovery message. Then, in step ST52, the shelf label management server113 determines whether or not a transaction information record includingthe ID code is stored in the transaction information file F2.

In the case a transaction information record including the ID code isstored in the transaction information file F2, in step ST53, the shelflabel management server 113 determines whether or not the settlementflag of the transaction information record is information “1”, whichindicates that the settlement has been completed (completiondetermination means).

In the case the settlement flag is “1”, a shopper for whom the ID codeis issued puts the bracelet 4 into the bracelet recovery box 7 after thesettlement of the commercial transaction has been completed. Then, instep ST54, the shelf label management server 113 updates the recoveryflag of the transaction information record to “1”.

In the case the settlement flag is “0”, a shopper for whom the ID codeis issued puts the bracelet 4 into the bracelet recovery box 7 withoutcompleting the settlement of the commercial transaction. Then, in stepST55, the shelf label management server 113 sends back anuncompleted-settlement response message to the customer managementserver 114 (annunciation control means).

Then, the shelf label management server 113 ends the ID recovery messagereception processing of this time.

The uncompleted-settlement response message sent back from the shelflabel management server 113 is transferred to the ID recovery terminal17, which is the transmission source of the ID recovery message, throughthe customer management server 114.

In step ST13, the control unit 174 of the ID recovery terminal 17, whichtransmits the ID recovery message, waits for the response message. Then,when receiving the uncompleted-settlement response message from thecustomer management server 114, in step ST14, the control unit 174operates the annunciation unit 172. That is, the control unit 174 giveswarning that the shopper returns the bracelet 4 having the RFID tag 5attached thereto to the bracelet recovery box 7 without performing thesettlement of the commercial transaction.

The ID recovery terminals 17 configures a user identification obtentionmeans by the RFID reader/writer 171, a user identification transmissionmeans by the control unit 174 and communication unit 173, and anannunciation means by the control unit 174 and annunciation unit 172.

FIG. 11 shows a front view of the electronic shelf label device 14. FIG.12 shows a block diagram indicative of the main part configuration ofthe electronic shelf label device 14. The electronic shelf label device14 has, on the front side of a housing 140 in the form of a label, adisplay unit 141 and an information input unit 142. Furthermore, anantenna 144 of an RFID reader/writer 143 is buried substantially alongthe outer circumference of the housing 140. The display unit 141displays the name, price, etc. of merchandises. On the information inputunit 142, a “+” (plus) button, a “−” (minus) button, and an arrow buttonare arranged.

The electronic shelf label device 14 has a battery 145 mounted theretoas a driving source. Furthermore, the electronic shelf label device 14includes a communication unit 146, a nonvolatile storage unit 147, and acontrol unit 148. The communication unit 146 performs data communicationwith the shelf label controllers 13 connected thereto through thecommunication lines 122. The storage unit 147 stores display data or themerchandise name, price, etc. Furthermore, in order to identify therespective electronic shelf label devices 14, the storage unit 147stores and retains a unique shelf label number set for the respectiveshelf label devices. The electronic shelf label device 14 functions asan information terminal device of the present invention.

The thus-configured electronic shelf label device 14 directs thedirectivity of the antenna 144 to the front side of the housing 140, andsets a distance of approximately several cm to several ten cm from thefront side to the communication range. For example, as shown in FIG. 13,the user holds out an arm 91 to seize merchandise “curry” (shown byhatching in FIG. 13) exhibited on a merchandise display shelf 90. Then,the RFID tag 5 of the bracelet 4 attached to the wrist of the user comesinto the communication area of the antenna 144 of an electronic shelflabel device 14 a arranged on the merchandise display shelf 90corresponding to the merchandise. As a result, data stored in the memoryunit of the RFID tag 5, that is, the ID code is read out by the RFIDreader/writer 143 of the electronic shelf label device 14 a in anoncontact manner.

At this time, the RFID tag 5 does not come into the communication areaof the respective antennas 144 of electronic shelf label devices 14 b,14 c, and 14 d which are located close to the electronic shelf labeldevice 14 a. Accordingly, the ID code is not read out.

The RFID reader/writer 143 and its antenna 144 configure a userrecognition means that obtains user identification information (ID code)for identifying the user from the user who holds out an arm to thecorresponding merchandise in a noncontact manner.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart indicative of the procedure of the mainprocessing which the control unit 148 of the electronic shelf labeldevice 14 executes. Firstly, the storage units 147 of the respectiveelectronic shelf label devices 14 store, in the shelf label informationfile F1, merchandise shelf label information of the merchandise name andprice, which are so stored as to correspond to the shelf label number ofthe electronic shelf label device 14. The merchandise shelf labelinformation has been previously downloaded from the shelf labelmanagement server 113 through the shelf label controllers 13.

In step ST21, the control unit 148 makes the display unit 141 displaythe merchandise shelf label information. Next, in step ST22, the RFIDreader/writer 143 is made to start reading out the RFID tag 5. In thisway, when the RFID tag 5 comes into the communication area of theantenna 144, an ID code stored in the memory unit of the RFID tag 5 isread out by the RFID reader/writer 143 in a noncontact manner.

In step ST23, the control unit 148 waits for the ID code to be read out.When the ID code is read out, after temporarily storing the ID code inthe storage unit 147, in step ST24, the control unit 148 temporarilyhalts the reading out operation by the RFID reader/writer 143.

Next, in step ST25, the control unit 148 makes the display unit 141displays a registration/cancellation confirmation screen. On thisscreen, information to make a shopper confirm the registration orcancellation of registration for a merchandise to be sold correspondingto the electronic shelf label device 14 is displayed. The control unit148 waits for information of the registration or cancellation ofregistration for a merchandise to be input through the information inputunit 142 (input receiving means).

FIG. 17 shows an example of the registration/cancellation confirmationscreen. In this example, a shopper who registers a merchandise displayedon the display unit 141 operates the “+” button, which is the firstoperation unit of the information input unit 142. A shopper who cancelsregistering the same merchandise operates the “−” button, which is thesecond operation unit.

After displaying the registration/cancellation confirmation screen, instep ST26, the control unit 148 waits for a constant time period toelapse. Then, in the case the “+” button or “−” button are not operatedduring the time period, the processing returns to step ST1, and thecontrol unit 148 returns the screen of the display unit 141 to themerchandise shelf label information screen.

In step ST27, in the case the “+” button is operated during the constanttime period; the control unit 148 assumes that registration of amerchandise corresponding to the electronic shelf label device 14 isprescribed. Then, in step ST29, a registration merchandise informationmessage is edited, and the registration merchandise information messageis transmitted from the communication unit 146 to the shelf labelmanagement server 113 through the shelf label controller 13(registration merchandise information transmission means). Theregistration merchandise information message includes the shelf labelnumber stored in the storage unit 147 of the electronic shelf labeldevice 14 and the ID code read out immediately before from the RFID tag5.

In step ST28, in the case the “−” button is operated during the constanttime period, the control unit 148 assumes that cancellation of theregistration of a merchandise corresponding to the electronic shelflabel device 14 is prescribed. Then, in step ST30, a cancellationmerchandise information message is edited, and the cancellationmerchandise information message is transmitted from the communicationunit 146 to the shelf label management server 113 through the shelflabel controller 13 (cancellation merchandise information transmissionmeans). The cancellation merchandise information message includes theshelf label number stored in the storage unit 147 of the electronicshelf label device 14 and the ID code read out immediately before fromthe RFID tag 5.

Every time the registration merchandise information message is receivedfrom any one of the electronic shelf label devices 14, the shelf labelmanagement server 113 executes registration merchandise informationreception processing.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart indicative of the procedure of theregistration merchandise information reception processing. Whenreceiving the registration merchandise information message, in stepST61, the shelf label management server 113 retrieves the transactioninformation file F2 using an ID code included in the registrationmerchandise information message. Then, in step ST62, the shelf labelmanagement server 113 determines whether or not a transactioninformation record including the ID code is stored in the transactioninformation file F2.

In the case a transaction information record including the ID code isstored in the transaction information file F2, in step ST63, the shelflabel management server 113 determines whether or not the settlementflag of the transaction information record is information “0”, whichindicates that the settlement is not finished. In the case thesettlement flag is “1”, a shopper for whom the ID code is issued hascompleted the settlement of the commercial transaction. In this case,the shelf label management server 113 ends the registration merchandiseinformation reception processing.

In the case the settlement flag is “0”, a shopper for whom the ID codeis issued has not completed the settlement of the commercialtransaction. In this case, in step ST64, the shelf label managementserver 113 retrieves the shelf label information file F1 using a shelflabel number included in the registration merchandise informationmessage. Then, the shelf label management server 113 obtains amerchandise code and a unit price of a shelf label information recordincluding the shelf label number from the shelf label information fileF1.

Next, in step ST65, the shelf label management server 113 addsmerchandise sales information to a transaction information recordincluding the ID code of the transaction information file F2(registration merchandise information processing means). The merchandisesales information includes a merchandise code and a unit price obtainedfrom the shelf label information file F1, a quantity (1), and a moneyamount (unit price).

Then, in step ST66, the shelf label management server 113 adds the moneyamount of the merchandise sales information, which is added this time,to the total money amount of a transaction information record includingthe ID code (total calculation means). Then, in step ST67, the shelflabel management server 113 transmits information indicative of thetotal money amount after the addition of the money amount to theelectronic shelf label device 14 which is the transmission source of theregistration merchandise information message (total money amounttransfer means).

Furthermore, every time the cancellation merchandise information messageis received from any one of the electronic shelf label devices 14, theshelf label management server 113 executes cancellation merchandiseinformation reception processing.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart indicative of the procedure of thecancellation merchandise information reception processing. In step ST71,the shelf label management server 113, which receives the cancellationmerchandise information message, retrieves the transaction informationfile F2 using an ID code included in the cancellation merchandiseinformation message. Then, in step ST72, the shelf label managementserver 113 determines whether or not a transaction information recordincluding the ID code is stored in the transaction information file F2.

In the case a transaction information record including the ID code isstored in the transaction information file F2, in step ST73, the shelflabel management server 113 determines whether or not the settlementflag of the transaction information record is information “0” whichindicates that the settlement is not finished. In the case thesettlement flag is “1”, a shopper for whom the ID code is issued hascompleted the settlement of the commercial transaction. In this case,the shelf label management server 113 ends the cancellation merchandiseinformation reception processing.

In the case the settlement flag is “0”, a shopper for whom the ID codeis issued has not completed the settlement of the commercialtransaction. In this case, in step ST74, the shelf label managementserver 113 retrieves the shelf label information file F1 using a shelflabel number included in the cancellation merchandise informationmessage. Then, the shelf label management server 113 obtains amerchandise code and a unit price of a shelf label information recordincluding the shelf label number from the shelf label information fileF1.

Next, in step ST75, the shelf label management server 113 deletesmerchandise sales information including the obtained merchandise codeand unit price from a transaction information record including the IDcode of the transaction information file F2 (cancellation merchandiseinformation processing means).

Then, in step ST76, the shelf label management server 113 subtracts themoney amount of the merchandise sales information, which is deleted thistime, from the total money amount of a transaction information recordincluding the ID code (total calculation means). Then, in step ST77, theshelf label management server 113 transmits information indicative ofthe total money amount after the money amount is subtracted to theelectronic shelf label device 14, which is the transmission source ofthe cancellation merchandise information message (total money amounttransfer means).

Explanation is returned to FIG. 14.

In step ST31, the control unit 148 of the electronic shelf label device14, which transmits the registration merchandise information orcancellation merchandise information to the shelf label managementserver 113 in step ST29 or step ST30, waits for information indicativeof the total money amount. Then, when receiving information indicativeof the total money amount from the shelf label management server 113through the shelf label controller 13, in step ST32, the control unit148 makes the display unit 141 display the total money amountrepresented by the information (total display control means).

FIG. 18 shows an example of the total money amount display screen. Inthis example, a shopper who confirms the total money amount operates anyone of the buttons of the information input unit 142.

After displaying the total money amount display screen, in step ST33,the control unit 148 waits for a constant time period to elapse. Then,during the time period, in step ST34, in the case it is detected thatany one of the buttons of the information input unit 142 is operated, orin the case it is detected a constant time period has elapsed, theprocessing returns to step ST1, and the control unit 148 returns thescreen of the display unit 141 to the merchandise shelf labelinformation screen for the merchandise name and price.

FIG. 19 shows a block diagram indicative of the main part configurationof the POS terminal 15. The POS terminal 15 includes a CPU 1501 as acontrol unit main body. Furthermore, the POS terminal 15 includes a ROM1502 and a RAM 1503 as storage units. Furthermore, the POS terminal 15includes a clock unit 1504, a communication controller 1505, a scannerinterface 1506, an RFID reader/writer 1507, a keyboard 1508, an operatordisplay 1509, a customer display 1510, a printer 1511, a card reader1512, a drawer 1513, etc.

The clock unit 1504 keeps the current date and time. The communicationcontroller 1505 controls the data communication with the POS server 115connected thereto through the communication line 123. The scannerinterface 1506 is an interface to which a scanner to scan an opticalscan code such as a barcode is connected. An RFID reader/writer 1507reads out an ID code from the RFID tag 5 carried about by a shopper whomakes payment. The RFID reader/writer 1507 configures an input means foruser identification information (ID code).

On the keyboard 1508, there are arranged keys for inputting merchandisesales information such as a merchandise code, quantity, and moneyamount, deposit/current-total keys which function as close keys todeclare closing registration for one commercial transaction, a key suchas a credit total key which is arranged on an existing POS terminal, andfurthermore, a settlement key K1 to declare the settlement start of ashopper for whom an ID code is issued from the ID issuance terminal 16.

When the settlement key K1 is operated for input, the CPU 1501 startssettlement key input processing represented in a flowchart shown in FIG.20. Firstly, in step ST81, the CPU 1501 starts the operation of readingout the RFID tag 5 by the RFID reader/writer 1507. Then, in step ST82,the CPU 1501 waits for an ID code to be read out from the RFID tag 5.

When the ID code is read out, after temporarily storing the ID code inthe RAM 1503, in step ST83, the CPU 1501 temporarily halts the readingout operation by the RFID reader/writer 1507. Next, in step ST84, theCPU 1501 edits a settlement inquiry message, and transmits thesettlement inquiry message to the POS server 115 through thecommunication controller 1505 (user inquiry means). The settlementinquiry message includes the ID code temporarily stored in the RAM 1503.

Every time the settlement inquiry message is received from the POSterminal 15, the POS server 115 transfers the settlement inquiry messageto the shelf label management server 113. Every time the settlementinquiry message is received through the POS server 115, the shelf labelmanagement server 113 executes settlement inquiry reception processing.

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart indicative of the procedure of the settlementinquiry reception processing. When receiving the settlement inquirymessage, in step ST101, the shelf label management server 113 retrievesthe transaction information file F2 using an ID code included in thesettlement inquiry message. Then, in step ST102, the shelf labelmanagement server 113 determines whether or not a transactioninformation record including the ID code is stored in the transactioninformation file F2.

In the case a transaction information record including the ID code isstored in the transaction information file F2, in step ST103, the shelflabel management server 113 determines whether or not the settlementflag of the transaction information record is information “0” whichindicates that the settlement is not finished. In the case thesettlement flag is “0”, a shopper for whom the ID code is issued has notcompleted the settlement of the commercial transaction. In this case, instep ST104, the shelf label management server 113 collectively reads outmerchandise sales information (merchandise code, unit price, quantity,money amount) stored in the transaction information record including theID code. Then, in step ST105, all the collectively read out merchandisesales information is transmitted to the POS terminal 15, which is thetransmission source of the settlement inquiry message (commercialtransaction information transfer means).

The merchandise sales information transmitted from the shelf labelmanagement server 113 is transmitted to the POS terminal 15, which isthe transmission source of the settlement inquiry message through thePOS server 115.

In step ST85, the CPU 1501 of the POS terminal 15 that transmits thesettlement inquiry message waits for the merchandise sales information.Then, when receiving the merchandise sales information, in step ST86,the CPU 1501 stores the thus-received merchandise sales information inthe RAM 1503. Furthermore, the CPU 1501 makes the operator display 1509and customer display 150 display purchased merchandise accountinformation such as merchandise name, unit price, quantity, money amountcorresponding to the merchandise code of the merchandise salesinformation.

Then, in step ST87, the CPU 1501 determines whether or not there isperformed a correction for the merchandise sales information. Then, bythe key operation of the keyboard 1508 or the operation of scanning anoptical scan code by a scanner, in the case there is performed acorrection input such as addition, deletion, change, etc. with respectto the merchandise sales information, in step ST88, the CPU 1501 updatesthe merchandise sales information stored in the RAM 1503 to informationwhich has been corrected. Furthermore, the purchased merchandise accountinformation displayed on the operator display 1509 and customer display150 is changed to the contents after correction.

Then, in step ST89, the CPU 1501 waits for a close key for declaringclosing registration for one commercial transaction to be operated.Then, when the close key is operated, in step ST90, the CPU 1501executes the settlement processing with respect to a well-knownsettlement method according to the kind of the close key, for example,the manner of payment such as cash, a credit card, a prepaid card,electronic money, and a debit card (settlement processing means). Thesettlement processing includes processing of registering sales data ofmerchandises in the RAM 1503 based on the merchandise sales informationstored in the RAM 1503. Furthermore, in the case card data of a pointcard is read out by the card reader 1512, processing of calculatingservice points based on the merchandise sales information stored in theRAM 1503, and accumulating the service points for the respectivecustomers is included.

When the settlement processing is completed, in step ST91, the CPU 1501edits a settlement completion message, and sends the settlementcompletion message to the POS server 115 through the communicationcontroller 1505 (completion user identification notification means). Thesettlement completion message includes the ID code stored in the RAM1503. Then, the CPU 1501 ends the settlement key input processing ofthis time.

Every time the settlement completion message is received from the POSterminal 15, the POS server 115 transfers the settlement completionmessage to the shelf label management server 113. Every time thesettlement completion message is received through the POS server 115,the shelf label management server 113 executes settlement completionreception processing.

FIG. 22 shows a flowchart indicative of the procedure of the settlementcompletion reception processing. When receiving the settlementcompletion message, in step ST111, the shelf label management server 113retrieves the transaction information file F2 using an ID code includedin the settlement completion message. Then, in step ST112, the shelflabel management server 113 determines whether or not a transactioninformation record including the ID code is stored in the transactioninformation file F2.

In the case a transaction information record including the ID code isstored in the transaction information file F2, in step ST113, the shelflabel management server 113 determines whether or not the settlementflag of the transaction information record is information “0”, whichindicates that the settlement is not finished. In the case thesettlement flag is “0”, in step ST114, the shelf label management server113 updates the settlement flag to “1” (completion user identificationmanagement means). Then, the shelf label management server 113 ends thesettlement completion reception processing of this time.

In a shop in which the merchandise registration processing system ofthis embodiment is established, fingerprint data, which is biometricinformation of a customer, is previously obtained for each customer whois a point member. Then, the fingerprint data is related to customercodes for identifying the customers and stored in the biometricinformation storage unit 166 of the respective ID issuance terminals 16.

On the other hand, a customer who comes to a shop firstly receives thebracelet 4 from the shop, and puts the bracelet 4 on his/her arm. Next,the customer approaches the ID issuance terminal 16, and makes thebiometric information readout unit 167 read out a fingerprint of afinger of the customer which has been registered in the shop previously.Then, the ID issuance terminal 16 performs the identity authentication.Then, in the case the identity is recognized, an ID code is generated.This ID code is unique with respect to the customer, and is effectivefor only this instance of shopping. The ID code is written to the RFIDtag 5 arranged on the bracelet 4 of the customer through the RFIDreader/writer 168 in a noncontact manner. Furthermore, a transactioninformation record including the ID code is added to the transactioninformation file F2.

There may be employed a configuration in which the customer makes the IDissuance terminal 16 read out the customer's fingerprint beforereceiving the bracelet 4, and receives the bracelet 4 having the RFIDtag 5 to which the ID code is written by the ID issuance terminal 16from the shop.

Afterward, the customer shops in the shop. At this time, when there is amerchandise to be purchased, the customer reaches out, with the arm onwhich the bracelet 4 is placed, toward the merchandise display shelf 90in order to seize the merchandise. Then, among the electronic shelflabel devices 14 attached to the merchandise display shelf 90, the RFIDtag 5 attached to the bracelet 4 comes into the communication area ofthe antenna 144 arranged on the electronic shelf label device 14 onwhich the name, price, etc. of the merchandise are displayed.Accordingly, an ID code stored in the memory unit of the RFID tag 5 isread out by the RFID reader/writer 143 arranged in the electronic shelflabel device 14. Then, on the display unit 141 of the electronic shelflabel device 14, the registration/cancellation confirmation screen isdisplayed.

Then, the customer takes the merchandise to be purchased from themerchandise display shelf 90 and puts the merchandise in a shoppingbasket or a shopping cart, and operates the “+” button to prescriberegistering the merchandise. Then, in the electronic shelf label device14, the registration merchandise information message is edited to betransmitted to the shelf label management server 113. The registrationmerchandise information message includes an ID code read out from theRFID tag 5 and a shelf label number unique with respect to theelectronic shelf label device 14.

In the shelf label management server 113 which receives the registrationmerchandise information message, the transaction information file F2 isretrieved using the ID code in the message. Then, to the transactioninformation record including the ID code, merchandise sales informationconfigured by a merchandise code and a unit price, a quantity (1), and amoney amount (unit price) which are related to the shelf label number inthe message to be stored and managed on the shelf label information fileF1 is added. Furthermore, the total money amount of all the merchandisesales information stored and retained in the same transactioninformation record is calculated. Then, information indicative of thetotal money amount is transmitted to the electronic shelf label device14, which is the transmission source of the registration merchandiseinformation message. As a result, the total money amount is displayed onthe display unit 141 of the electronic shelf label device 14.

When the shopper who operates the “+” button confirms the total moneyamount displayed on the display unit 141 of the electronic shelf labeldevice 14, the shopper operates any one of the buttons arranged on theinformation input unit 142 of the electronic shelf label device 14. As aresult, the electronic shelf label device 14 returns to the displaystate of the name and price of merchandise corresponding to theelectronic shelf label device 14.

When the shopper cancels purchasing merchandise which has beenregistered once, the shopper returns the corresponding merchandise tothe merchandise display shelf 90 using the hand on which the bracelet 4is placed. At this time, the RFID tag 5 attached to the bracelet 4 comesinto the communication area of the antenna 144 arranged on theelectronic shelf label device 14 on which the name, price, etc. of themerchandise are displayed. Accordingly, an ID code stored in the memoryunit of the RFID tag 5 is read out by the RFID reader/writer 143arranged in the electronic shelf label device 14. Then, on the displayunit 141 of the electronic shelf label device 14, theregistration/cancellation confirmation screen is displayed.

Then, the shopper operates the “−” button to prescribe canceling theregistration for the merchandise. Then, in the electronic shelf labeldevice 14, the cancellation merchandise information message is edited tobe transmitted to the shelf label management server 113. Thecancellation merchandise information message includes an ID code readout from the RFID tag 5 and a shelf label number unique with respect tothe electronic shelf label device 14.

In the shelf label management server 113 which receives the cancellationmerchandise information message, the transaction information file F2 isretrieved using the ID code in the message. Then, from the transactioninformation record including the ID code, merchandise sales informationconfigured by a merchandise code and a unit price, a quantity (1), and amoney amount (unit price) which are related to the shelf label number inthe message to be stored and managed on the shelf label information fileF1 is deleted. Also in this case, the total money amount of all themerchandise sales information stored and retained in the sametransaction information record is calculated. Then, informationindicative of the total money amount is transmitted to the electronicshelf label device 14, which is the transmission source of theregistration merchandise information message. As a result, the totalmoney amount is displayed on the display unit 141 of the electronicshelf label device 14.

When the shopper who operates the “−” button confirms the total moneyamount displayed on the display unit 141 of the electronic shelf labeldevice 14, the shopper operates any one of the buttons arranged on theinformation input unit 142 of the electronic shelf label device 14. As aresult, the electronic shelf label device 14 returns to the displaystate of the name and price of merchandise corresponding to theelectronic shelf label device 14.

In the case the shopper does not perform any button operation when theregistration/cancellation confirmation screen is displayed, after aconstant time period has elapsed, the electronic shelf label device 14returns to the display state of the merchandise name and price.Furthermore, also in the case the shopper does not perform any buttonoperation when the total money amount display screen is displayed, aftera constant time period has elapsed, the electronic shelf label device 14returns to the display state of the merchandise name and price.

In this way, every time the shopper who wears the bracelet 4 on his/herarm takes a merchandise to be purchased from the merchandise displayshelf 90, the shopper operates the “+” button of the electronic shelflabel device 14 on which the name and price of the merchandise aredisplayed to register the merchandise. Furthermore, in the case ofcanceling the purchase of the merchandise which has been registeredonce, after returning the merchandise to the merchandise display shelf90, the shopper operates the “−” button of the electronic shelf labeldevice 14 on which the name and price of the merchandise are displayedto cancel the registration. In this way, in the transaction informationrecord including the ID code of the RFID tag 5 which is attached to thebracelet 4 carried about by the shopper, merchandise sales informationof merchandises, which have been registered and are not canceled, arestored and retained collectively.

In this way, when the shopper has collected all merchandises to bepurchased on that day, the shopper takes the merchandises to thesettlement place, and makes an offer of the settlement to a cashier. Thecashier receives the bracelet 4 from the shopper, and sets the bracelet4 close to the POS terminal 15. Then, the cashier operates thesettlement key K1. As a result, by the RFID reader/writer 1507 arrangedin the POS terminal 15, an ID code of the RFID tag 5 attached to thebracelet 4 is read out in a noncontact manner. Then, the settlementinquiry message including the ID code is transmitted from the POSterminal 15 to the shelf label management server 113.

In this way, in the shelf label management server 113, the transactioninformation file F2 is retrieved. Then, the merchandise salesinformation stored and retained in the transaction information recordincluding the ID code is read out collectively, and is transmitted tothe POS terminal 15, which is the transmission source of the settlementinquiry message. In this way, on the operator display 1509 and customerdisplay 1510 of the POS terminal 15, purchased merchandise accountinformation such as merchandise name, unit price, quantity, money amountcorresponding to the merchandise code of the merchandise salesinformation received from the shelf label management server 113 isdisplayed.

Next, the cashier collates the merchandises which the shopper purchaseswith the display contents. In the case they do not accord with eachother, addition, cancellation, correction, etc. of the merchandise salesinformation are performed by operating the keyboard 1508 and scanner tomake the merchandises and the display contents accord with each other.Then, the cashier requests the customer to make payment for the charge.Then, the cashier operates a close key according to the kind of paymentof the customer. As a result, in the POS terminal 15, settlementprocessing according to the kind of payment is executed. Then, after thesettlement processing has been completed, the settlement completionmessage including the ID code is transmitted from the POS terminal 15 tothe shelf label management server 113. As a result, in the shelf labelmanagement server 113, the settlement flag of the transactioninformation record including the ID code is set to “1”.

Afterward, the cashier puts the bracelet 4 received from the shopper inthe bracelet recovery box 7. Then, by the RFID reader/writer 171arranged in the ID recovery terminal 17, an ID code of the RFID tag 5attached to the bracelet 4 is read out. As a result, in the shelf labelmanagement server 113, the recovery flag of the transaction informationrecord including the ID code is set to “1”. Furthermore, the ID code ofthe RFID tag 5 is cleared. Accordingly, the bracelet 4 can be reused forthe next shopper.

In this way, when the shopper takes a merchandise to be purchased fromthe merchandise display shelf 90, since the shopper him/herself operatesthe electronic shelf label device 14 which is so arranged as tocorrespond to the merchandise, the sales information of the merchandisescan be stored and managed for the respective shoppers in the serverdevice 11. Furthermore, since the merchandise sales information storedand managed for the respective shoppers on the server device 11 iscalled up in the POS terminal 15 for the respective shoppers, executionof the settlement processing based on the merchandise sales informationbecomes possible.

Accordingly, in the POS terminal 15, since it is not necessary toregister merchandises which the customer purchases one by one, the timerequired for the registration work can be significantly reduced. In thiscase, since it is not necessary to attach wireless tags for all themerchandises to be sold in a shop one by one, the system in thisembodiment is not troublesome as compared with a merchandiseregistration processing system using wireless tags.

The only operation of a shopper necessary in registering a merchandiseto be purchased and canceling the registration is performing theone-touch operation with respect to the buttons of the information inputunit 142 arranged on the electronic shelf label device 14. Therefore,the shopper does not feel much burden when performing the operation.Accordingly, in a supermarket, etc., during a busy time where thewaiting time for the settlement place becomes long, there can be broughtabout an advantage that the waiting time can be reduced for customers.Therefore, the advantage brought about when the present system isintroduced becomes significantly large.

Every time the shopper registers a merchandise to be purchased orcancels the registration using the electronic shelf label device 14, thetotal money amount of merchandises to be purchased of the shopper up tothe present time is displayed on the display unit 141 of the electronicshelf label device 14. Accordingly, the shopper can keep shoppingwithout feeling worried about buying too much, which can improve theconvenience.

In the above-described embodiment, while a cashier operates the POSterminal 15, which is the settlement device, registration ofmerchandises to the settlement device is automatically performed.Therefore, when an existing prepaid type electronic money settlementdevice, a debit card settlement device, a credit settlement device, etc.are used as a settlement device, there can be easily introduced aself-checkout system that can make a customer him/herself perform allthe settlement works, which include giving and receiving the charge.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and variousmodifications of components can be implemented without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the present invention.

For example, while the shelf label management server 113 manages thetransaction information file F2 in the embodiment, other servers such asthe POS server 115 or customer management server 114 may manage thetransaction information file F2. Furthermore, a specialized dedicatedserver to manage the transaction information file F2 may be arranged inthe server device 11.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, while a shopper wears bracelet 4 on hisor her arm, there may be employed a configuration in which the pairedbracelets 4 which have the RFID tags 5, to which the same ID code iswritten by the ID issuance terminal 16, are prepared, and the shopperwears the bracelets 4 on both arms to perform shopping. In this way,sales information of merchandise can be registered in the server device11 whichever hand is used to take a merchandise to be purchased from themerchandise display shelf 90, which can prevent merchandise from notbeing registered. Furthermore, without using the bracelet 4, the RFIDtag 5 may be directly attached to the arm, fingertip, or palm of acustomer.

Furthermore, although in the embodiment the bracelet 4 is recovered, thebracelet 4 does not have to be recovered. In this case, as anotherconfiguration of the user identification device, there can be considereda gate device in which an ID code is read out from the bracelet 4 of theuser passing through the gateway of a shop, and the ID code istransmitted to the customer management server 114 or the like of theserver device 11, and operation for annunciation is performed when it isdetected that there is no notification of settlement completion in theserver device 11.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, the customer takes a merchandise to bepurchased and performs a registration operation from the electronicshelf label device 14 corresponding to the merchandise, and, whenperforming the cancellation operation for the registration, the totalmoney amount of the customer up to the present time is displayed on thedisplay unit 141 of the electronic shelf label device 14 automatically.On the other hand, there may be employed a configuration in which thetotal money amount is not displayed when there is no designation fromthe customer by the operation of the information input unit 142 of theelectronic shelf label device 14.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, the ID code is data which is effectivewhile the user who is a customer is shopping. However, respectiveembodiments can be realized by, instead of a point card which is issuedfor, for example, a point member, distributing the bracelet 4 which hasthe RFID tag 5, to which a customer code is previously written, to usethe customer code as the ID code. In this case, the ID issuance terminal16 and ID recovery terminal 17 can be omitted from the merchandiseregistration processing system 1.

By arbitrarily combining the plural components disclosed in theembodiments, various inventions can be realized. For example, severalcomponents may be deleted from all the components shown in theembodiments. Furthermore, components of different embodiments may becombined.

The present invention can be utilized in a shop such as a supermarket inwhich the electronic shelf label management system is established.

1. A merchandise registration processing system which comprises aplurality of information terminal devices which are so arranged as tocorrespond to various displayed merchandises respectively and each ofwhich has a display unit that displays information related to thecorresponding merchandise, and a communication unit that receivesinformation to be displayed on the display unit, a server device whichhas terminal display control means for editing information to bedisplayed on the display units of the respective information terminaldevices for the respective information terminal devices, andtransmitting edited information to the corresponding informationterminal devices, and a settlement device that performs settlementprocessing of a commercial transaction, the information terminaldevices, server device, and settlement device being connected by acommunication network, the system wherein, each of the informationterminal devices comprises user recognition means for obtaining, from auser who holds out an arm to a merchandise corresponding to theinformation terminal device, user identification information foridentifying the user in a noncontact manner, input receiving means for,under a condition that the user identification information is obtainedby the user recognition means, receiving a registration input of amerchandise corresponding to the information terminal device, andregistration merchandise information transmission means for, when thereis a registration input of a merchandise received by the input receivingmeans, transmitting registration merchandise information includingmerchandise identification information for identifying the merchandiseand the user identification information obtained by the useridentification recognition means from the communication unit to theserver device through the communication network, the server devicecomprises information reception means for receiving informationtransmitted from the respective information terminal devices through thecommunication network, a transaction information storage unit that has atransaction information storage area for the respective useridentification information, registration merchandise informationprocessing means for, every time the registration merchandiseinformation is received by the information reception means, adding themerchandise identification information included in the registrationmerchandise information to the transaction information storage area forthe respective user identification information included in theregistration merchandise information of the transaction informationstorage unit, and commercial transaction information transfer means fortransferring the merchandise identification information stored for therespective user identification information in the transactioninformation storage unit to the settlement device, and the settlementdevice comprises input means for the user identification information,and settlement processing means for performing the settlement processingof the commercial transaction with the user identified by the useridentification information input through the input means based on themerchandise identification information transferred from the serverdevice.
 2. The merchandise registration processing system according toclaim 1, wherein the input receiving means of the respective informationterminal devices can receive a registration cancellation input formerchandise corresponding to the information terminal device, each ofthe information terminal devices includes cancellation merchandiseinformation transmission means for, when there is a registrationcancellation input for a merchandise, transmitting cancellationmerchandise information including merchandise identification informationfor identifying the merchandise and user identification informationobtained by the user identification recognition means from thecommunication unit to the server device through the communicationnetwork, and the server device includes cancellation merchandiseinformation processing means for, every time the cancellationmerchandise information is received by the information reception means,deleting the merchandise identification information included in thecancellation merchandise information from the transaction informationstorage area for the respective user identification information includedin the registration merchandise information of the transactioninformation storage unit.
 3. The merchandise registration processingsystem according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a useridentification issuance device including biometric information storagemeans for storing biometric information of respective users which hasbeen previously registered, biometric information take-in means fortaking in biometric information of the users, identity authenticationmeans for collating the biometric information taken in by the biometricinformation take-in means with the biometric information of therespective users stored in the biometric information storage means toperform the identity authentication, and user identification issuancemeans for, under a condition that the identity authentication of theuser is established by the identity authentication means, issuing useridentification information with respect to the user, the useridentification issuance device being connected to the communicationnetwork.
 4. The merchandise registration processing system according toclaim 3, wherein the user identification issuance means is means forwriting, to a noncontact communication storage medium carried about bythe user for whom the identity authentication is established, useridentification information issued for the user by noncontactcommunication.
 5. The merchandise registration processing systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the system further comprises a useridentification device which has user identification obtention means forreading out the user identification information written in thenoncontact communication storage medium, user identificationtransmission means for transmitting the user identification informationobtained by the user identification obtention means to the serverdevice, and annunciation means, the user identification device beingconnected to the communication network, the settlement device includescompletion user notification means for notifying the server device ofthe user identification information whose settlement processing by thesettlement processing means has been completed, and the server deviceincludes completion user management means for storing and managinginformation related to the user identification information whichreceives notification of the settlement completion from the settlementdevice, user identification reception means for receiving the useridentification information transmitted from the user identificationdevice through the communication network, completion determination meansfor determining whether or not information related to the useridentification information is stored and managed by the completion usermanagement means every time the user identification information isreceived by the user identification reception means, and annunciationcontrol means for, when it is determined that information related to theuser identification information is not stored and managed by thecompletion determination means, making the annunciation means of theuser identification device which is the transmission source of the useridentification information operate for annunciation.
 6. The merchandiseregistration processing system according to claim 1, wherein the serverdevice includes total calculation means for calculating the total moneyamount for the respective user identification information based on themerchandise identification information stored for the respective useridentification information in the transaction information storage unit,and total money amount transfer means for transferring data of the totalmoney amount calculated by the total calculation means to theinformation terminal device which is the transmission source ofinformation received by the information reception means, and each of theinformation terminal devices includes total display control means fordisplaying the total money amount of the commercial transaction on thedisplay unit based on the total money amount data transferred from theserver device.
 7. The merchandise registration processing systemaccording to claim 2, wherein each of the information terminal devicesfurther includes a first operation unit and a second operation unit, andthe input receiving means makes the operation input of the first andsecond operation units possible under a condition that the userrecognition means obtains the user identification information, andprocesses in such a manner that, when the operation of the firstoperation unit is detected, there is a registration input for acorresponding merchandise, and processes in such a manner that, when theoperation of the second operation unit is detected, there is aregistration cancellation input for a corresponding merchandise.
 8. Themerchandise registration processing system according to claim 1, whereinthe respective information terminal devices are arranged on merchandisedisplay shelves, and are electronic shelf label devices which displayprices of merchandises displayed on the shelves.